Relating to the licensure of internationally trained physicians, and including effective date provisions

This bill relates to the licensure of international physicians in Iowa. The bill defines “international physician” as a person who holds a medical doctorate or substantially similar degree issued by an international medical program, has been in good standing with the medical regulatory body of the person’s country of residence for the immediately preceding five years and has no pending discipline, has completed a residency or similar postgraduate education program, has practiced medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery as a licensed physician for five years following the completion of a residency or substantially similar postgraduate medical training and has a basic fluency in English. The bill defines “international medical program” as a medical training program or entity that provides physicians with a medical education or training, outside of the United States that is substantially similar to the practice of medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery in Iowa and that has been evaluated by the educational commission on foreign medical graduates. The bill requires the board of medicine to issue a provisional license to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery in Iowa to an international physician who has received a passing score on the United States medical licensing examination and has an offer for employment as a physician with a health care facility, as defined in the bill, in this state. The board may revoke a provisional license if the board finds by clear and compelling evidence that the licensee has engaged in conduct for which a licensee in medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery may be disciplined, or if the licensee is not employed by a health care facility in this state during the entirety of the provisional licensing period. If a provisional license is not revoked or surrendered, the provisional license shall be converted to a full license after three years. The bill allows the board to conduct a background check and require the submission of an application and application fee. The bill takes effect January 1, 2025.